Synopsis

With the final Angel vanquished, Nerv has one last enemy left to face—the humans under Seele's command.

Left in a deep depression nearing the end of the original series, an indecisive Shinji Ikari struggles with the ultimatum presented to him: to completely accept mankind's existence, or renounce humanity's individuality. Meanwhile, at the core of a compromised Nerv, Gendou Ikari and Rei Ayanami approach Lilith in an attempt to realize their own ideals concerning the future of the world.

The End of Evangelion serves as an alternate ending to the polarizing final episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion. With the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, the climactic final battle draws near.

After watching the final episodes of the original Evangelion series, I was really baffled. What happened? I understood that it all took place in Shinji's mind, but that's about it. Where was the ending? What really happened?

Those answers are provided by End of Evangelion. We get an alternate retelling of the two last episodes, outside Shinji's mind. From the awakening of Lilith to the result of the Instrumentality, we get to see it all. Of course, there's a lot of moments which are confusing (this is Evangelion, after all), but you kinda get a better understanding of everything that happened. Oh, and for the sake
of your well-being, remember that the age rating *is* 17+. There are some really gross scenes in this movie (but that's all I can tell you without spoiling too much).

Also, kudos to the animation in this one. I've always enjoyed Evangelion's animation, everything's just really neat, and incredibly flawless, and it stands off as good even today. The same goes for End of Evangelion. Nice animation, and I really like the effects appearing when the Eva series are invoking the Third Impact. I was a bit surprised that they suddenly decided put in real-life clips. For what reason they did it, I don't know, but for me, it certainly had its positive effects.

One thing I've also always enjoyed about Evangelion (it's a lot), is the music. Music often portrays the mood very well, so much that you can often only by listening to the song get a picture of the current mood. However, the music they use in Evangelion often goes the opposite way and make a great contrast to the events unfolding. This, however, only strengthens the mood more than any song portraying the mood in a normal way would do. Not to mention that the songs they used in End of Evangelion are great as stand-alone music as well.

Evangelion is a psychological anime, and the characters are and behave thusly. They're all traumatized, or have some kind of emotional problems going on. The original series portrayed the characters and their problems very well, and the movie did that as well. I feel that they are real human beings, and I end up sympathizing with them. They have deep emotional struggles, and you're nearly dragged into them.

Shortly summarized, the movie was very much like the original series, at the same time also explaining many things the original series didn't. If you've watched the original series, you should definitely watch this, because it's *at least* equally good.

It's going to be very hard to review this movie because its basically a work of art. The first half of the movie provides all the action and big events that Eva fans would want in the movie, but its really the second act that is the most important part. The second half is an astonishing piece of filmmaking that essentially challenges common filmmaking and boldly dares to ask questions most filmakers wouldn't dare going to.

Most of the following won't make sense if you have no knowledge of Eva. The entire second half of the movie takes place within Shinji's mind as
the third impact is happening. As he is in a state of introspect, reminesing about the wrongs people have done to him and the loneliness and isolation he has in life, it develops not only his character, but the characters of everybody in his mind. Misato, Asuka, Rei, and Kaoru all gain great depth as they converse with Shinji in his mind and at least in the beginning, fail to convince him to stop the third impact.

It is after the third impact has happened however, that this masterpiece really stays with you. Shinji realizes what he has done and comes to realize truths within himself he couldnt understand with others around him. It is finally Rei/Yui that makes him come to terms with his existance and the value he gives to everybody around him. The film for the most part ends with Shinji undoing the third impact, after realizing he wants to see everybody again because the happy memories he has, no matter how few, are real.

It is in this chaos and often confusion of Shinji's and everybody's minds that director Hideaki Anno raises questions about the nature of humanity's existance and whether life is worth living, even in all the pain everyone and everything around us brings us. The answer is ultimately yes, but it is the process to getting to that answer that makes this film a masterpiece.

I'm not going to try to convince anybody who already isn't an Eva fan that this film will change your mind about the series, because it won't. But the truth of the matter is that this film is a masterpiece in not only anime, but in animation and filmmaking in general. It is not afraid to ask some of the most philisophical questions we can ask ourselves as people and is not afraid to have us, the viewer, realize the answers even as the characters on screen attempt to do the same. If you are going to see this movie, watch the 26 episode show first, or you'll have no idea what is going on. End of Evangelion is one of the most artistic and beautiful movies I have ever seen, animated or not, and is a mandatory movie to watch I believe for anybody who considers themselves a fan of anime or film in general.

For me, like many other fans, the last two episodes of the anime series of NGE left me feeling a little frustrated and confused. They are fantastic and innovative as stand alone works but do not serve as a satisfying conclusion to what was an amazing anime. EoE, however, allows Anno to give his magnum opus the ending it truly deserves: beautifully animated, packed with action and philosophical to the core, this film does not disappoint.

Taking place in the same universe as the anime, EoE serves as a re-telling of events outside of Shinji's
mind or as an entirely alternative ending. The beauty if this movie for me is that it does not spoon feed you the premise, instead it is up to you to decide what exactly is real, what is symbolic and what is psychological.
The first half of the movie acts like standard NGE fare...there is plenty of action, and an interesting threat falls upon the nerv headquarters. We are treated to a fantastic Asuka based fight scene, which breaks up nicely the scenes of drama involving Shinji. The interactions between side characters are stellar as always, and one never feels as though a character is being neglected...even the minor members of cast are three dimensional with their own wants and ideals.
The second half of the movie is when Anno's depth of work begins to truly shine. Beautifully animated, with stunning apocalyptic scenes, this part of the movie can be enjoyed as an analogy about the fear of being hurt, and the need for the warmth of others. Shinji's fear of reaching out to others has (or almost has) devastating consequences as the world without barriers he envisioned appears before him. The philosophical narration does not read as psychobabble at all: instead, EoE steadily makes simple points about the nature of life. Despite the scenes of destruction EoE presents, the narrative is largely optimistic: as an example, one quote is "if you are alive, any place can be heaven,".
As always, this is a wonderfully animated work. The backgrounds of the movie are stunning, and the larger budget definitely shows through, with complex action sequences and amazing, surreal and cosmic scenery galore. EoE is a feast for the eyes! The music, while somewhat dissonant to the general theme of the movie, is great, and strong enough to be appreciated as stand alone pieces. Like the NGE anime, this movie uses famous classical music, which create a dramatic effect.
I watched the original japanese Version, and the voice acting was fantastic. Particularly the voice of Shinji...Megumi Ogata is some woman! From crying to *ahem* ....other things..she performs realistically and with a tone of voice so unusual yet convincing. Rei's seiyuu was also fantastic, voicing her with that hint of emotion that is needed for such a complex girl.
Expect to see some character development, especially from Shinji and Rei in this movie! Even the villanious Gendou becomes more sympathetic. The interactions between Rei and Gendou and Shinji and Misato are some of the most heart rending of EoE, however, surprise encounters between the supporting cast (particularly the lovely Maya) also tugged at my heart strings.
All in all, EoE is fantastic and an imperative part of the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise. This wonderful movie offers some of the best animation and characterisation I have scene in any series. If you are dissatisfied by the ending of NGE, this will be the conclusion you have been waiting for!

If you were to look up "mindfuck" in the dictionary, the dictionary woud bitchslap you into a coma then proceed to surgically insert The End of Evangelion DVD straight into your brain.

Let's break this thing down by category:

Story - The twisted film conclusion to the Neon Genesis Evangelion series, meant to take the place of the final two episodes. Is the conclusion good? If you like a good mindfuck, nay, mindrape, then yes. It is the pinnacle of excellence in this regard, as it is quite possibly the most psychotic film you are ever likely to see, anime or otherwise.

Art - If you like the
style of NGE, then you'll be having eyegasms over this film. The animation especially is quite nice. Mitsuo Iso's "full limited" animation style makes Asuka's final battle one of the most visceral action sequences in anime to date.

Music - A soundtrack of the caliber of FLCL or Cowboy Bebop, but in the span of a single film. Or in other words, you'll be having nonstop eargasms in addition to the eyegasms. The highlights are 身代わりの侵入, 空しき流れ, Thanatos - If I Can't Be Yours, Komm Susser Tod, 不安との密月, and 閉塞の拡大. Truly an outstanding soundtrack by Shiro Sagisu, which he has been trying (and failing) to match with the soundtracks for the Rebuild of Evangelion films, which are still amazing in their own right.

Characters - Exquisitely messed up in all the right ways. But you should already know that from the TV series, right?

Voice Acting (dub) - Overall a solid dub despite a tiny bit of cheesiness in some of the lines and their deliveries. Alison Keith is definitely the superstar here, as she delivers one of the best voice acting performances of all time with Misato's final scene. Truly great stuff.

Enjoyment - If all of the above sounds good to you, then 10/10. Otherwise... you might want to steer clear.

Overall, my favorite film of all time... well, maybe tied with 2001: A Space Odyssey.

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